This is a professional quality koto instrument made from well-respected Japanese instrument maker Mishimaya. It is not a student model!! The whole wood piece is carved out from paulownia body with detail craftmanship and elegant decoration using karin wood. There are hand carved sound grooves underneath the soundboard to enhance the sound quality. (see the picture below) The strings are strung tight and ready for set up. It's made with new tuning device developed by Mishimaya for easier string changing and tuning. Tuning wrench and instruction are included.